Fluttering in the sky that overlooks the capital is a massive tricolour hoisted on a flagpole at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport, which has become the first such facility in the State to own the pride.
The tricolour measuring 30ft x 20ft, hoisted on a 100-foot-long flagpole mast, is installed near the international terminal building.
The exercise is part of an initiative of the Union government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) that calls for the hoisting of national flag at airports across the country.
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Freedom fighter and Chairman of Kerala Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi P. Gopinathan Nair hoisted the flag on August 15 as the nation celebrated its 71st Independence Day.
Lauding the initiative of the AAI, Mr. Gopinathan recalled the Flag Satyagraha of 1932, a campaign of peaceful and civil disobedience during the freedom movement that focussed on exercising the right and freedom to hoist the tricolour.
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Airport Director, George Tharakan said the all-weather tricolour made of nylon-silk will fly round-the-clock and be a landmark visible even at night if illuminated. The project cost the AAI ₹15 lakh.
Bajaj Electricals handled the the work on the monumental flag that has the approval of the Union Home Affairs and Civil Aviation Ministries.
Chairman of Airlines Operating Committee Vijaya Bhushan and Chief Security Officer, CISF, Suneet Sharma were present at the event.
The city’s first such flag, erected at the Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds, was installed at the initiative of Shashi Tharoor, MP, with the support of the Flag Foundation of India.
It is being maintained by Kerala Tourism.